Halloween–the “spooky” season–is right around the corner. Thus, the bewitching hour to go out with friends, receive treats, and have whimsical fun is almost here. However, that begs the question: How old is too old to trick-or-treat?
When thinking of trick-or-treating, images of children wearing costumes, walking door-to-door with friends, and consuming cost-less sugary sweets fill the mind. However, there are various ways to participate in this holiday once a person’s trick-or-treating days are over.
Many would say that after middle school, it is too old to dress up and go out. A senior at Elkhart High School, Alfredo Ramirez, is among them. “When you’re 16, you’re too old to trick-or-treat, because it’s a children’s tradition.” If wanting to get in the spirit of the night, Ramirez suggests taking on a more age-appropriate role. “You can still participate by decorating or handing out candy, though!”
Other high schoolers share similar sentiments. Sophomore Braylen Holloway says,“I think that anyone can trick-or-treat,” seemingly in contradiction to Ramirez’s statement at first. Explaining, he adds, “I don’t think many older people enjoy trick-or-treating…but anyone can grab a costume and go house-to-house.” As a comforting reminder, Holloway offers this: “People can still participate in Halloween parties also.”
Parties have always been a popular activity around Halloween time for high schoolers. During these events, participants dress in exotic costumes for a night of sweet treats, bonfires, and hayrides. Albeit enticing for some, anything more adult than this could turn “scary.” Ramirez adds, “I feel like each person knows the limits. If you take care of yourself and avoid joining the crowd, you’ll be alright.”
Yet, there are still those who go trick-or-treating before parties, as a way to bring back treats for groups of friends. The combination of the two activities can be an inexpensive way to create fun memories with friends. However–with Halloween on a Thursday this year–maybe this group should just wait for the weekend to purchase discounted Halloween candy for themselves instead. Let the little kids have their candy!
In fact, why not come to the EHS Track or Treat event at Rice Field from 5:30-7 p.m. on Halloween night to hand out candy to hundreds of trick-or-treaters looking for a safe environment to parade about.
